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How does this Burnley team compare to the promoted side of 2014?

Burnley have been promoted back to the Premier League at the first time of asking. Are they better equipped to stay there this year than in 2014/15?

Burnley manager Sean Dyche celebrates with the trophy after winning the Sky Bet Football League

Every football fan will be familiar with the concept of a yo-yo club: a team that is too good for one league and achieves promotion, but finds that it is not quite good enough for the league above next year and is relegated.

An unwanted tag, but one that unfortunately in the last few years could be applied to Burnley Football Club. Sean Dyche has assembled a squad that has too much quality for teams in the Championship, but on their last attempt at Premier League survival in the season of 2014/15 couldn't extend their stay beyond a year. Now they are back again for another stab at the top flight - what chance do the Clarets have of breaking their frustrating cycle and making their move to the Premiership more permanent?

Subtle Personnel Changes

Burnley's Andre Gray celebrates after scoring

If you take a look at the team that played in the Premier League for Burnley in the 2014/15 season, the line-up hasn't really changed dramatically since. That may worry some fans who could be fearful of the same fate as their last top flight campaign, but Dyche's subtle changes to his side could make a significant difference in the coming season.

Players have been added that have gone on to become key features in the side, signings like Michael Keane, Matthew Lowton, and last year's Championship top scorer Andre Gray. Much will depend on Gray, whether he can repeat his goalscoring feats from last year and fulfil the role played by Danny Ings in their 2014/15 Premier League season. But the Burnley team is now a younger group, that has been tweaked and fine-tuned by Dyche. Let's not forget that the team of 2014/15 came up through the play-offs, this team romped to the league title.

Valuable Experience?

Burnley's George Boyd has made 65 Premier League appearances

Burnley are a team that know first-hand the pain of relegation to the Championship, and the difficulty of returning to the top flight, and this is something that is sure to give them that extra bit of motivation as they prepare for the upcoming season. They will have a better idea of how other teams in the league play compared to when they were last promoted, and so can prepare better for fixtures.

But, most importantly, two years on from when they first arrived in the Premier League under Dyche, they have had two more years for the players to familiarise themselves with the manager's system, and build a stronger bond between the group. History has shown us that a team that is prepared to work for each other for 90 minutes can be very difficult to beat, and can pick up unlikely points. You get the feeling that Dyche's squad have the togetherness required to avoid the drop zone.

Player additions on the way?

Michael Keane of Burnley applauds fans at the end of the game

You would think that Burnley, especially if early results don't go to plan, will still be looking at bringing in some more quality before the transfer deadline. They have the funds available, from two years' worth of promotion payments in the last three years. So if they do go looking for one or two additions, there's no question that they could tempt potential signings with high wage packets, as well as Premier League football.

It could be argued that there are still a couple of areas in which the team could be strengthened, such as central midfield,a position filled by Joey Barton last year. Their healthy finances also will help when it comes to keeping their leading prospects, such as centre-back Michael Keane, who has reportedly been subject to a £17 million bid from Leicester, according to The Mirror.

Only time will tell whether Burnley can shake their tag of yo-yo club this season by avoiding relegation from the Premier League, but they appear to be better equipped to survive this time round.

James Foggin

James Foggin is a 19 year old aspiring football journalist, and lover of all things sport. Hockey, cricket, and football in particular - if he's not playing it or watching it, you can bet he'll be writing about it. At his happiest when stood in the south stand of Middlesbrough's Riverside Stadium.